Is the farmer s dog a good dog food
The Farmers Dog Review
Written by Kasey Caminiti, managing editor, deal hunter, and eyeliner aficionado.
Updated February 27, 2024
The Farmer's Dog
Pros
Healthy
Affordable
Pre-portioned
Cons
Not resealable
Need to thaw
I will happily admit that I am totally obsessed with my two dogs. There are several dog beds placed in different rooms of my home so my pups always have a cute spot to relax. I have dog toys, water fountains, treats, harnesses, life jackets (yes, I own a life jacket for my dog), and so much more dog paraphernalia in my home. But where I draw the line regarding spoiling my pups is dog food. I respect people who cook chicken, rice, and veggies for their dog every night, but Im not that person. Yes, I want my dogs to eat healthy food, but I am not trying to be too inconvenienced. You might remember The Farmer's Dog from the viral 2023 Super Bowl commercial that pulled on everyone's heartstrings. So, my dogs Rufio and Ace put The Farmers Dog to the test to see just how paw-some it is.
What is The Farmers Dog?
The Farmers Dog is a fresh dog food brand that offers vet-developed meal plansthat are formulated with human-grade ingredients. Founded in 2015 by two dog lovers who wanted to bring healthy and convenient dog food to the market, The Farmers Dog prides itself on making sure that their dog food is nutritious, affordable, and accessible, all while maintaining high safety standards for delivery.
The Farmers Dog
New customers can save 50% on their first order of Reviewed-approved fresh dog food from The Farmers Dog.
Save 50% on your first orderHow I tested The Farmer's Dog
I received 14 days of dog food for each of my dogs. I was very cautious about transitioning them from dry dog food to The Farmers Dog so I spent a little more than the recommended one week of transitioning. I started with about 75% dry dog food and 25% The Farmers Dog and increased it until they were eating 100% The Farmers Dog. The meal plans for both dogs included the beef recipe, pork recipe, and turkey recipe. The feeding suggestion was half a package per day for each dog.
What I liked about The Farmers Dog
My six-year-old Boston Terrier is like a garbage can in that he will eat anything, even if it doesnt agree with him. His bowel movements can be grossly impacted if he eats something weird. Needless to say, I dont love having to deal with that. After only a few days of eating The Farmers Dog, I noticed that Rufios backyard business was very (consider this your TMI warning) regular, solid, and clean. It was fantastic. Both dogs obviously enjoyed their meals each day and I noticed that they seemed fuller after eating, in a good way. In particular, Rufios mooching was less intense.
I definitely noticed more of a change in Rufio, maybe because hes older and a little more sensitive to food. Ace still has puppy energy and has (thankfully) been trained to not beg for table scraps, so I didn't notice a huge change in his behavior, but he seemed more excited about meal time than before.
Credit: Reviewed/Kasey Caminiti
The refrigerated deliveries from The Farmer's Dog are flexible based on your schedule and feature eco-friendly packaging.
What I didnt like about The Farmers Dog
The slim, compact packaging was great for freezer storage, but it was difficult to squeeze out when feeding. I tried to use a utensil to scrape the last bits out of each package and always felt like I was wasting some or that it was too much effort and gave up. The packaging is not resealable. You are provided a takeaway container to store your open packet in the fridge but I wouldve preferred being able to seal it shut, especially during the transitional first week when I was using one packet over a few days.
Credit: Reviewed/Kasey Caminiti
The Farmer's Dog offers fresh dog food made with human-grade ingredients.
How does The Farmers Dog work?
To get started with The Farmers Dog, youll take a short quiz about how many dogs you have, breed, age, weight, dietary restrictions, activity levels, and diet history. After you complete the quiz, The Farmers Dog will determine the appropriate meal plan withrecommended recipesand weekly pricing. Your pups meals will be formulated with USDA human-grade fresh ingredients and packaged into pre-portioned packs so all you have to do is open and pour. The refrigerated deliveries are flexible based on your schedule and feature eco-friendly packaging. You'll want to store your packs in the freezer and thaw a new pack 12 hours before you're ready to use it. Each pack stays fridge-safe for up to four days after thawed.
Credit: Reviewed/Kasey Caminiti
Rufio tested fresh dog food from The Farmer's Dog for two weeks and loved it.
How much does The Farmers Dog cost?
Meal plans start at about $2 to $12 per day and delivery options range from one week to three months of food and include free shipping. Right now, The Farmers Dog is offering a 50% discount to first-time customers on their first box of dog food. Two weeks worth of The Farmer's Dog meals for Rufio and Ace would have been $119.30, but with the 50% discount on my first box, my total came to $63.56. That breaks down to $31.78 for each dog for two weeks and $2.27 per day. For reference, a 40-pound bag of dry dog food would cost us $60 and last a little less than one month, equating to $2.30 per day for each of our two dogs.
What ingredients are in The Farmers Dog dog food?
The Farmers Dog outlines every recipe on their website and in a product card sent with your dog food delivery. The recipes vary and can include the following ingredients:
- Meats: Whole beef, turkey, pork, chicken, and a beef and chicken liver combination
- Fresh vegetables: Carrots, green beans, brussels sprouts, and broccoli
- Fiber-rich foods: Chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and lentils
Where can I buy The Farmers Dog dog food?
Right now, you can only shop The Farmers Dog on the brands website to guarantee your personalized meal plans are delivered in refrigerated and environmentally-friendly boxes.
Is The Farmers Dog worth it?
Yes! I think The Farmers Dog is worth it. Both my dogs loved it and it seemed to improve their digestion. I have plenty of freezer space, so storing the food wasnt an issue, but I could see how storing several packages of dog food might not be ideal for everyone. The cost was comparable to our usual dry dog food, so as long as you have the space, I would highly recommend The Farmer's Dog!
The Farmers Dog
New customers can save 50% on their first order of Reviewed-approved fresh dog food from The Farmers Dog.
Save 50% on your first orderPrices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
The Farmers Dog Food Review (Fresh)
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The Farmers Dog earns The Dog Food Advisors top rating of 5 stars.
In this review
Well take an in-depth look at The Farmers Dog and well rate each of its recipes. And well answer these important questions:
- What is The Farmers Dog? How does it work?
- Who makes it?
- Has The Farmers Dog been recalled?
- Which flavors and recipes get our top ratings?
But first
What Is The Farmers Dog?
The Farmers Dog is a premium subscription service that produces fresh, custom-made food for your particular dog. And then delivers it refrigerated direct to your door.
How Does the Service Work?
First, youll answer a few questions about your dogs age, weight, breed, activity level and allergies. This creates a custom feeding profile.
Next, youll choose a flavor. Set up a delivery schedule. And soon, fresh-made pet food arrives at your home, packed in dry ice.
Which Recipes Get Our Top Ratings?
The Farmers Dog offers 4 recipe options. Heres what makes each one different.
- First 5 ingredients: Beef, sweet potatoes, cooked lentils, carrots, beef liver
- Protein: 39% (dry matter)
- Fat: 29% (dry matter)
- Carbs: 24% (est)
- Fat-to-protein ratio: 73%
Beef Recipe contains the second highest protein level in The Farmers Dog product line. Includes fish oil, a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids for better joint health. A top pick. Highly recommended.
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- First 5 ingredients: Turkey, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, spinach
- Protein: 33% (dry matter)
- Fat: 19% (dry matter)
- Carbs: 40% (est)
- Fat-to-protein ratio: 56%
Although Turkey Recipe has the lowest amount of meat protein in the brands offering, it also exhibits the most favorable fat-to-protein ratio. Exceptional nutrient balance. Recommended with confidence.
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- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, brussels sprouts, chicken liver, bokchoy cabbage, broccoli
- Protein: 46% (dry matter)
- Fat: 34% (dry matter)
- Carbs: 12% (est)
- Fat-to-protein ratio: 74%
Chicken Recipe boasts the highest protein content of any product in the line with zero legumes. Contains an organic zinc compound and 2 other chelated minerals. Nutrients typically found in better recipes. Highly recommended.
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- First 5 ingredients: Pork, sweet potatoes, potato, green beans, cauliflower
- Protein: 36% (dry matter)
- Fat: 28% (dry matter)
- Carbs: 28% (est)
- Fat-to-protein ratio: 78%
This recipe gets 100% of its animal protein from fresh pork and pork liver. The formula is rich in omega-3 fish oil for optimal heart health and silky coat. Another exceptional pick. Highly recommended.
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The Farmers Dog fresh-cooked, human-grade dog food earns the Advisors top rating of 5 stars.
We find The Farmers Dog to be an outstanding, grain-free wet food. Each human-grade recipe uses a generous amount of fresh named meat as its main source of animal protein thus earning the brand 5 stars.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
The Farmers Dog product line includes the 4 fresh-cooked foods listed below.
Recipe and Label Analysis
The Farmers Dog Turkey was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
The Farmer's Dog Turkey Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Turkey, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, spinach, parsnips, tricalcium phosphate, salt, fish oil, choline bitartrate, taurine, vitamin B12 supplement, zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, vitamin E supplement, copper amino acid chelate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, potassium iodide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 5% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 33% | 19% | 40% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 28% | 38% | 34% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this recipe is turkey. Turkey is considered the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey.1
Turkey is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient includes chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. Like peas, beans and lentils, the chickpea is a nutritious member of the fiber-rich legume (or pulse) family of vegetables.
However, chickpeas contain about 22% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The third ingredient lists carrots, which are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fourth ingredient is broccoli. Broccoli is a healthy green vegetable and a member of the kale family. Its notably rich in vitamin C and fiber and numerous other nutrients.
Like other cruciferous vegetables, broccoli is believed to provide anti-cancer benefits.
The fifth ingredient is spinach. Due to its exceptional vitamin and mineral content, spinach exhibits a remarkably high nutrient Completeness Score2 of 91.
The sixth ingredient includes parsnip, a root vegetable closely related to carrot and parsley. Parsnips are high in complex carbohydrates and rich in B vitamins, fiber and other essential nutrients.
The seventh ingredient is tricalcium phosphate, a beneficial source of calcium and phosphorus. In addition, this additive is used in canned foods as an emulsifier an agent designed to disperse a foods fats more evenly in water.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With 3 notable exceptions
First, we find fish oil. Fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a welcome addition.
Next, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients only, The Farmers Dog appears to be an above-average wet product.
However, ingredient content alone doesnt provide an accurate picture of the products meat content. We also need to take a closer look at the labels Guaranteed Analysis data.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 33%, a fat level of 19% and estimated carbohydrates of about 40%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 39% and a mean fat level of 27%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 26% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 70%.
Which suggests The Farmers Dog contains above-average protein, above-average fat, and below-average carbs when compared to a typical wet recipe.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the chickpeas, this still looks like the profile of a fresh dog food containing a generous amount of meat.
The Farmer's Dog Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to The Farmer's Dog through April 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of The Farmer's Dog Dog Food
We find The Farmers Dog to be an outstanding, grain-free wet food. Each human-grade recipe uses a generous amount of fresh named meat as its main source of animal protein thus earning the brand 5 stars.
Who Makes The Farmers Dog?
The Farmers Dog is made at USDA-inspected facilities located within the United States.
The company was founded in 2014 by Brett Podolsky and Jonathan Regev. The following video describes the pairs inspiring story and contrasts The Farmers Dog with ordinary dry dog food.
Who Designed The Farmers Dog?
The Farmers Dog is designed and formulated by a team of veterinary specialists, board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.
What Do Others Say About The Farmer's Dog Dog Food?
Buyer review Our Havanese puppy Chutney is a very picky eater and The Farmers Dog is the only thing he eats without fuss.
Read more buyer reviews at TheFarmersDog.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Farmer's Dog a Healthy Food?
Unlike brands that use computer programs to verify their nutrient content
The Farmers Dog was tested using a method we consider superior to AAFCOs own gold standard system live feeding trials conducted on real dogs of multiple breed sizes and ages over a 6-year period.
So, all 4 recipes are considered nutritious for all ages and breed sizes, including large breed puppies.
Is The Farmer's Dog Raw?
No Its gently cooked at lower temperatures. So, each recipe avoids damage to delicate vitamins and nutrients during high-heat processing.3
What If My Dog Doesn't Like the Food?
The Farmers Dog has amazing customer service. If your dog doesnt like the recipe you ordered, theres no need to return it. The company will send you a different flavor, at no cost to you.
How can I switch to The Farmers Dog without making my dog sick?
In thisvideo
Dr. Gary Richter shares asimple feeding tipthat can helploweryour dogsriskof gettingsickwhen you switch to afresh food, like The Farmers Dog.
Its best toswitchyour dog to a fresh food like The Farmers Doggradually.
Start by mixing 20% fresh with 80% old food. Then,slowlyincrease that amount to a full 100% over the next 8 to 9 days.
| Schedule | Old Food | Fresh Food |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 and 2 | 80% | 20% |
| Days 3 and 4 | 60% | 40% |
| Days 5 and 6 | 40% | 60% |
| Days 7 and 8 | 20% | 80% |
| Day 9 | 0% | 100% |
What allows The Farmers Dog to claim it is human grade?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that products claiming to be fit for human consumption must beofficiallyedible.
The word edible is alegalstandard. Human-grade is not.
In order for The Farmers Dog to be deemed edible, every ingredient in its recipemust be human edibleand manufactured, packed and stored in accordance with USDA regulations.
How can I be sure The Farmers Dog is healthy?
Each of The Farmers Dog recipes was designed by a board-certifiedveterinary nutritionist.
And unlike most commercial dog foods that use only computer simulations to determine their compliance with AAFCO nutrient profiles
The Farmers Dog was tested using a method we considersuperiorto AAFCOs own gold standard system conducted on real dogs of multiple breed sizes and ages over a 6-year period.
Is The Farmers Dog recommended for puppies?
Some fresh dog foods are not safe for all ages and breeds.
Thats because
Large breed puppieshave a higherriskof developing acripplingandpermanentform ofhip diseaseif theyre fed a fresh diet that contains too much calcium while theyre still growing.4 5
Fortunately,The Farmers Dog isconsidered safefor ALL adults and puppies, including those of larger breeds.
What keeps The Farmers Dog fresh?
Since The Farmers Dog containsno preservatives, it must be kept refrigerated or frozen.
In most cases, fresh dog food can last formonths, as long as it remains frozen and sealed in its original package.
Once a container is open and defrosted, it should be kept in the fridge andused within 4 days.
Compare The Farmer's Dog Dog Food
How does The Farmer's Dog compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
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